I usually don’t see Crossbills until well into the winter but this morning there were 5 or 6 of them in Goryokaku Park. They briefly flew down low for a drink before they disappeared back into the tall pines.
Also around in the park were a lost looking Japanese Green Pigeon on its way south, a few Coal Tit, a lone Hawfinch, 1 Coot, 2 Wigeon and a lone Pochard. On the river nearby a Red-flanked Bluetail was flitting around in the undergrowth, a flock of Grey Starling were feasting on some berries and I could hear a Brown Dipper warbling away in the shadows.
Last weekend was very quiet but among the usual stuff there were lots of Pintail and Wigeon at Kamiiso as well as Great Scaup, Great Crested Grebe, Great Egret, a flock of Black-headed Gull and a lone Glaucous-winged Gull.
Thank you for the image and update on the Crossbill appearance. We will be in the Hakodate area Nov. 16-18 and look forward to trying to see some of the birds you have featured. RL
These were in Goryokaku Park, look for puddles and they may come down to drink if you’re lucky………..
Thanks again. Will have an adventure looking for the locations you have been referencing.